Improv for D&D and Role Playing Games

Improvisation is key to any roleplaying game, whether as a player or a game master, and it can be the difference between a good gaming session and a great one that everyone enjoys! In this seven week course students will gain confidence in creating and playing strong characters on the fly while using scene painting and other improv tools to build intricate and exciting worlds and lore. Most importantly, students will learn to embrace letting go and having fun in a complex and rule-based game. The prerequisite for this class is Level One & Level Two Improv at Stomping Ground Comedy Theater or equivalent improv courses including improv basics and some scene work with the Training Center Director’s approval.  Some experience with Dungeons & Dragons or similar TTRPG is recommended for this class.

Topics in this Course Include:

• Advanced Scene painting (location, character, emotions, and world building)
• Raising the stakes through secrets and clues
• Making vocal choices to enhance your characterization 
• Framing your game as a DM/GM and creating a positive playing environment
• Embracing what you can control and what you cannot 
• Controlling the pacing, flow, and focus as a GM
• Using the dice tell a story

About Your Instructor:

Tristen Rouse holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Stephen F. Austin State University and currently works as a video specialist for Wylie ISD. He’s also a former high school teacher of animation, graphic design, and audio/video production. A recent graduate of Stomping Ground, Tristen can be seen performing in Stomping Ground’s mainstage shows, The Midnight Vault, That Bites, and Spaghetti Confetti as well as their musical house team, Vocal Fried. He teaches Level One and Level Three Improv in the Training Center.

With over 14 years of experience playing Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), Tristen is passionate about storytelling, world-building, and collaborative play. He credits D&D as his gateway into improv and has been a Dungeon Master for countless campaigns, refining his craft through years of trial and error. Tristen draws inspiration from luminaries like Brennan Lee Mulligan, Matt Mercer, and Michael E. Shea (Sly Flourish), blending their insights with his own philosophy: great games prioritize players and relationships and create maximum fun with minimal stress.

As a lifelong learner and lover of creative expression, Tristen has consumed hundreds of hours of D&D liveplay content, with favorites like Dimension 20 and The Adventure Zone fueling his passion. His approach to improv and DMing is deeply rooted in fostering connection, communication, and joy—a philosophy that informs the curriculum being taught in this class. He’s excited to share the lessons he’s learned, the joy improv has brought him, and the tools to make your games more fun and fulfilling.

This is a 7 week recurring course held Wednesdays from 7-9:30pm starting Wednesday, March 5th. The instructor is Tristen Rouse. All sales are final. Price of class does not include Eventbrite's service fee (3.7% + $1.79) and payment processing fee (2.9%) which will be added to the total price at checkout. All students must adhere to policies in the Stomping Ground Student Handbook. Must be 18 years or older.

Host or Publisher Stomping Ground Comedy